The JOBLESS SOCIETY’s Real Essence of Christmas

By: Tyra ‘nell E. Pille

Having grown up with my devoted Catholic grandparents, I always think that Christmas is for kids to enjoy every party with something new to wear, something delectable to munch on and something nice to receive from exchanging gifts. I used to think that all children in the world are as lucky as I am. Having to eat the best food on Christmas Eve while laughing and blowing paper horns with my relatives; what a life it was, thinking Christmas was the best time of the year.

Having grown up with my grandparents with a silver spoon in my mouth, I realized that I was blinded with the harsh realities of life. I was so unmindful of what the lesser fortunate children eat, receive and sleep on during the final month of the year when the air outside is chilling. For me, having all the things I asked for and eating the food I only wanted to eat was so fulfilling and thus, made me happy then. However, I realized that such happiness was empty and locked within my ignorance of what life really is and what makes it even more fulfilling.

Such ignorance remained in my younger years until I met people who taught me what life really is, much more when I became a journalist where I get to meet a lot of people from the other side of my personal perspective of the world.

The JOBLESS SOCIETY is one of the organizations I came across with that really inspired me to write more about the things that really matters in life. They introduced me to the students of Sogod Elementary School, located in the northeastern part of Cebu during a Christmas treat activity in 2008.

December 7, the eyes could witness a different school environment, not so much conducive to learning; it’s a school where one could see little children walking more than a kilometer away, sweating under the scorching heat of the sun, with their slippers thin and worn out from the long walks just to get to school everyday. It is also a place where one could see children carrying plastic bags rugged from ages as their school bags. To make things worst, it is a place where books are shared between a ratio of one is to three or four students. Moreover, some of the classrooms were tattered and the sun could shine its rays inside the classroom, while during rainy seasons, a pail would sit under the holes to hold the rain water from flooding inside the classroom.

Indeed, such circumstances touched the hearts of the JS members. Thus, in their aim to give inspiration to these young learners to strive harder to continue and hopefully, finish their studies until they could get a good job despite their present educational situation, the JS, led by the pioneering members travelled more than 80 kilometers from the city proper just to tap these children.

As soon as the mini bus slowed down to a stop in front of the school, the graders’ enthusiasm was so obvious in their smiles as they eagerly waited for the JS members to get down and start their surprises. The little party started with a prayer that was led by one of the JS pioneers, Joel Hayag.

The laughter and smiles of the children and teachers echoed the entire place, making people think that these people never had problems in their places. It’s just so amazing how these children still appreciates life so much despite the current situation they have at their homes and in school.

The graders then munched on their spaghetti, that their teachers cooked for everybody, and drinks after the fun they had in playing the games and receiving prizes. Before the entire gathering ended, a little inspirational talk was given by another JS Pioneer, Lyndon Dave Ardimer, followed by a pictorial with the graders, teachers, volunteer teachers and their principal, Rosalie Pasaol.

Teachers from the school were also very thankful to the JS for visiting their place and taking the time to conduct such humanitarian activity. Teachers gave their sincere gratitude in their finale speech. About a hundred and twenty grade one students each received a gift wrapped in colorful papers as the JS’s early Christmas treat to them. Each present contains school supplies.

JS was also thankful to Mrs. Dionesia Presbitero, mother of one of the pioneering members for leading us to the place. For the JS, this is the real essence of Christmas.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Her weird and at times tactless choices of words, yet in a more abstract manner and extremely aesthetic style in writing made it more interesting and attractive to the readers who tends to be more appreciative with literature. Born with an iron fist, an out-of-this-world creativity, and an odd sense of artistry, Tyra, tough on the outside but soft on the inside, proved to be a visual artist and a writer at the same time who finds happiness and sanctuary in playing with words in her self-composed songs, quotations and poetry among others, and in mixing the shades in her undaunted canvass, which she calls “her life.” For her, imagination is simply a kaleidoscope, simply unlimited and free.

You may check more about the writer and her writings in her blogs: Kaleidoscope of Image and Teaching Life